A World of Broken Temperature Records
2024 was the hottest year ever, pushing the planet past 1.5°C of warming for the first time.
2024 was confirmed as the warmest year on record. The global average temperature was about 1.55°C above the pre-industrial levels. marking the first calendar year exceeding the crucial 1.5°C threshold above the 1850-1900 average. For 40% of Earth's population — some 3.3 billion people — this was the warmest year they had ever lived through. Nearly a quarter of Earth's surface set new temperature records with oceans absorbing unprecedented heat. It was accompanied by devastating extreme weather, rising sea levels and melting ice.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Every year of the past decade ranks among the top ten hottest on record. The 2020s are shaping up to be a new - unprecedented - chapter in Earth’s climate history.
The Causes Behind the Heat
What else hit a record high last year? Greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. nearly three-quarters of the earth’s observed warming is the direct result of burning fossil fuels (coal, gas and oil). Deforestation and agriculture are responsible for the remaining.
The transition from the cooler La Niña weather pattern to the warmer El Niño supercharged global temperatures, amplifying the heat. Cleaner industrial practices, while reducing air-polluting aerosols, ironically let more sunlight reach the Earth’s surface.
The Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C warming limit is no longer a distant warning; it’s an inevitability. Dr Friederike Otto, at Imperial College London, said: “This record needs to be a reality check. A year of extreme weather showed just how dangerous life is at 1.5C. The Valencia floods, US hurricanes, the Philippines typhoons and the Amazon drought are just four disasters last year that were worsened by climate change. There are many, many more.” Within the next five to ten years, Earth's long-term temperature averages will cross this threshold, triggering ripple effects on ecosystems, weather, and economies.
Looking ahead, 2025 might bring a brief respite if a weak La Niña emerges, temporarily cooling parts of the globe. But by year’s end, a return to El Niño could send temperatures soaring again, pulling us deeper into uncharted climate territory.
The solutions to the climate crisis are clear. The solutions are no mystery. How many more floods, storms and wildfires must we endure? How many cities must be burned before we end new fossil fuel drilling? The clock is ticking. As Prof. Andrew Dessler quipped, “Every year for the rest of your life will be one of the hottest on record. Enjoy it while it lasts.”
What Can You Do
A lot of things, actually. For instance, my family went car-free two years ago, and it’s been a surprisingly liberating decision—less hassle, and fewer expenses. You can try adding a smart thermostat, adopting a plant-based diet, or reducing food waste. Changing grocery habits, even slightly, can make a big difference.
There’s no time to waste. The choices we make today shape the world we’ll live in tomorrow.
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Sources:
WMO confirms 2024 as warmest year on record at about 1.55°C above pre-industrial level | WHO
Hottest year on record sent planet past 1.5C of heating for first time in 2024 | Climate crisis | The Guardian
2024 - a second record-breaking year, following the exceptional 2023 | Copernicus
Global Temperature Report for 2024 | Berkeley Earth